Amtrak to add a daily round trip north of Seattle

SEATTLE — Amtrak says it plans to add one daily round trip between Seattle and Bellingham, in the coming weeks to help travelers affected by the I-5 highway bridge collapse between Mount Vernon and Burlington.

In a statement Friday, Amtrak, the state Transportation Department, Sound Transit and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway said they’re working together to add the service.

It would involve a morning departure from Seattle to Bellingham with an early evening return to help those who normally drive the route. Spokesmen said more details will be released as they become available.

Amtrak says its Amtrak Cascades service provides four trips each day over the Skagit River Rail Bridge, which remains fully functional with stops in Mount Vernon, Stanwood, Everett and Edmonds.

Currently, the first train leaves Everett at 10:02 a.m. and arrives in Seattle at 11:05. The last train leaves Seattle at 6:50 p.m. and arrives in Everett at 7:42 p.m.